Diploma of Mental Health
CHC53315
CRICOS Course Code: 095787G
Overview
The growing awareness of the importance of mental health has led to a high demand for dedicated professionals in this sector. If you are passionate about supporting people with mental health challenges, this nationally recognised mental health qualification is a perfect fit for you.
Throughout the course, you will develop specialised knowledge and skills to effectively support a diverse range of clients dealing with complex mental health, drug, and alcohol issues. You will acquire specialist knowledge in mental health conditions and their treatments, enabling you to provide effective counselling and support services including early intervention, health prevention and promotion programs. You will gain insights into the laws impacting individuals with mental health concerns, available support services, and mental well-being issues. You will also learn how to approach your mental health support work from a recovery-oriented perspective that is strengths-based and centred around your clients.
This mental health training course is hands-on. Your training will involve practical classroom learning and a compulsory work placement in a community services or healthcare setting, preparing you to make a positive impact as a confident and compassionate mental health professional.
Key Information
| Award | CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health |
| Duration | 2 years (104 weeks) 8 terms x 10 weeks 24 weeks of holidays |
| Study Mode | Classroom, Structured Study (Online), & Self-directed Learning |
| Locations | Melbourne, Sydney |
| Intakes | January, April, July, October |
The CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health is a nationally recognised qualification.
Career Opportunities
Curious about what roles in the industry you can apply for upon completing your CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health? Here’s a list of career opportunities:
- Mental Health Support Worker
- Mental Health Outreach Worker
- Alcohol and Other Drugs Worker
- Welfare Support Worker
- Community Rehabilitation Worker
- Community Support Worker
- Case Worker
- Recovery Support Worker
Study Pathways
Completing the CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health will open a study pathway into a Bachelor of Counselling and Psychotherapy with our sister company Ikon Institute of Australia.
Course Delivery and Assessment
This course is timetabled for 104 weeks, including 80 weeks of training and assessment across 8 terms of 10 weeks each, and 24 weeks of holidays. Each week, you are required to complete 20 hours of training and assessment, made up of 14 hours of weekly classroom training and 6 hours of structured study. The hours allocated to structured study may vary during work placement. An additional 10 hours per week of self-directed learning should be set aside for homework.
Training: Training takes place on campus and -in a mental health care setting. Delivery methods for training on campus includes trainer presentations and demonstrations, individual tasks, case studies, research, role plays, practical demonstrations, and group work.
Assessments: You will be assessed in both simulated and real work environments. In the classroom, assessments will involve projects with role-plays, case studies, observations, and short answer questions. The assessment conditions will ensure a simulated workplace environment for classroom-based assessments.
Units of Competency
The course has 20 units of competencies, consisting of 15 core and 5 elective units, and a work placement.
CHCADV005 Provide systems advocacy services
CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
CHCMHS002 Establish self‐directed recovery relationships
CHCMHS003 Provide recovery oriented mental health services
CHCMHS004 Work collaboratively with the care network and other services
CHCMHS005 Provide services to people with co‐existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
CHCMHS009 Provide early intervention, health prevention and promotion programs
CHCMHS010 Implement recovery-oriented approaches to complexity
CHCMHS011 Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing
CHCMHS012 Provide support to develop wellness plans and advanced directives
CHCMHS013 Implement trauma informed care
CHCPOL003 Research and apply evidence to practice
CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice
HLTWHS004 Manage work health and safety
CHCCSL001 Establish and confirm the counselling relationship
CHCCDE004 Implement participation and engagement strategies
CHCCSM005 Develop, facilitate and review all aspects of case management
CHCDEV001 Confirm client developmental status
CHCEDU001 Provide community focused health promotion and prevention strategies
Course Requirements and Suitability
Entry Requirements
Study Requirements
Entry Recommendations
You must meet both the academic and English language requirements.
Academic Requirements
- Completion of the Australian Year 12 or equivalent.
- Be at least 18 years of age.
English Language Requirements
You must meet one of the following criteria:
- IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent), with no individual band score below 5.5; or
- ALG in-house English proficiency test that is equivalent to IELTS 6.0; or
- A Certificate IV level qualification (or higher) completed within the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) in Australia within 2 years before starting this course; or
- Completion of the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education in Australia and in the English language within 2 years before starting this course.
You must also complete the Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) online test as per ALG’s Language, Literacy and Numeracy Requirements Factsheet
Please note: If you are applying for more than one course at ALG, you will only need to complete the LLN online test once. However, students returning to studies at ALG after a significant period of time may be asked to complete the LLN online test.
For more details about the English Language Entry Requirements, please refer to the ALG English Proficiency Requirements Factsheet.
- Bring your own device: Please bring your own laptop or tablet device to theory classes as ALG does not provide these items. Refer to the BYOD Policy in the ALG Student Handbook for specific details.
- Police Check: You may be required to provide a current national police check at least 6 weeks before starting your work placement. You are responsible for the cost of this check, which is not included in course fees.
- Working with Children Check (WWCC): You may be required to have a current and valid WWCC before your work placement begins. Information on obtaining a WWCC will be provided on Induction Day. You will need to cover any associated costs.
- A genuine interest in mental health and a desire to support individuals is crucial.
- Empathy, patience, and resilience are invaluable qualities in this field.
- The ability to build rapport with clients is vital.
- Effective planning and prioritisation are necessary.
Work Placement
As a requirement of this course, you will complete a 160-hour work placement in a mental health care setting. This hands-on industry experience to prepare you for your future career as a mental health support worker. Working under supervision, you will create and implement activities that focus on helping clients on their journey to recovery.